Get all the latest information and news about Wardle Family YMCA programs & events in our monthly newsletter!
So would you like you like to join our monthly digital mailing list? Then by all means have this newsletter delivered directly to your inbox: click here to sign up
March 2018 at the Wardle Family YMCA
So would you like you like to join our monthly digital mailing list? Then by all means have this newsletter delivered directly to your inbox: click here to sign up
(Port Royal, January 8, 2018): The YMCA of Beaufort County announces that it is changing its association name to the Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry to reflect the organizations’ programs that operate and serve residents of Jasper and Beaufort counties. The Y facility located in Port Royal will continue to be recognized as the Wardle Family YMCA.
“Over the past several years we have provided on-site and off-site programs including summer camp, afterschool programming and swim lessons to hundreds of residents of Jasper County, said Michael Bostwick, YMCA CEO. “In the spirit in inclusivity, of which the Y is well-known, and to better describe our impact geographically we are excited to now be known as the Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry.”
The Wardle Family YMCA was charted in 1990 and opened its doors in June 1996. The YMCA is a locally autonomous non-profit organization made up of voluntary membership that is open to individuals of all ages, race, religion, incomes and abilities. The mission of the Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Y believes in helping all people lead healthier, happier lives and at the Y, no one is turned away due to their inability to pay. In 2017 the Y awarded approximately $350,000 in financial assistance.
Programs and services incorporate the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and the YMCA encourages and challenges its staff, members, volunteers and program participants to accept and demonstrate these values. The Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry currently serves approximately 10,000 individuals annually through the programs and services provided in Beaufort and Jasper counties. beaufort-jasperymca.org
PORT ROYAL, SC – May 16, 2017. The Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County was granted $14,400 in donations through 100 Women Who Care Beaufort on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Funds are earmarked for the YMCA Migrant Summer Education Camp as well as the 2017 Scholarship Campaign.
Organized in January 2015, the 100 Women Who Care Beaufort is committed to supporting people in need right here in our community. The members promise to donate $100 per quarter to a worthy cause, charity or non-profit operating locally and serving the northern Beaufort County community. At the meeting members discuss and present information on worthy charitable organizations and then vote on which one will receive the $100 donations from the membership. Learn more information about this organization: www.100wwcbeaufort.org
This is the second year of the YMCA Migrant Summer Education Camp and will have an increased capacity of 115 campers ages five through eighteen who are in the area during the summer as their parents work the local agricultural harvest. The YMCA camp offers these kids a safe, structured environment with educational components, recreational activities, healthy meals and lots of fun! Campers receive swim lessons, dental/wellness checkups and weekend backpack meals.
The YMCA is committed to never deny anyone access to programs and facilities due to an inability to pay. Donations to the annual scholarship campaign fund help fund this financial assistance.
[l to r]: Mike Bostick (Y CEO), Tracey Robinson, Peg Schlichtemeier, Elly Levin, Jeneane Ryan, Kaylin Garst, Ernie Schlichtemeier
Yes, we have installed wifi (we call it Y-Fi!) at the Y for use by members. Simply click on the wifi settings on your smart phone and choose ‘YMCA_WIFI_Guest’. Enter your email to accept our privacy and policy agreement, and you’re connected!
To celebrate, we are offering to waive the joining fee for new memberships if you join by December 16, 2016! Stop at the YMCA front desk to learn more and join us here at the Wardle Family YMCA!
Left to right: Cameron Hussmann, Spencer Shivers, Antonio Day, Alexia Goucher, Jillian Pieczonka, Coach Mary Eklund
The 2016 H2A Season Kickoff Swim Meet held September 16-18, 2016 marked the opening of the USA-Swimming Short Course Season for five BYAC Tigershark swimmers. This was the first USA-Swimming meet for Alexia Goucher , Cameron Hussmann, and Spencer Shivers. USA-Swimming veteran swimmers Antonio Day and Jillian Pieczonka (new Tigershark team member) also gained valuable racing experience. All swimmers are members of the Beaufort YMCA Aquatic Club (BYAC) the youth swim team of the Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County.
All five swimmers achieved personal best times in multiple events. Highlights included Antonio Day achieving a South Carolina LSC Short Course State Championship Meet Qualifying Time in age 11-12 Boys 50 Butterfly. He was joined by Cameron Hussman and Spencer Shivers in achieving Upper Southeast Regional YMCA Short Course Championship Meet Qualifying Times.
Antonio Day 11-12 Boys
4th Place 50 Yard Fly (achieved SC LSC State and USRY Qualifying Times)
5th Place 50 Yard Breaststroke
6th Place 100 Yard Individual Medley
8th Place 200 Yard Freestyle
Cameron Hussmann 11-12 Boys
1st Place 50 Yard Freestyle (achieved 11-12 Boys SC LSC State and USRY Qualifying Times in all 4 events)
1st Place 100 Yard Freestyle
3rd Place 100 Yard Butterfly
5th Place 200 Yard Backstroke
Spencer Shivers 13-14 Boys
5th Place 200 Yard Breaststroke
6th Place 100 Yard Breaststroke (achieved USRY Qualifying Time)
Jillian Pieczonka 11-12 Girls
6th Place 200 Yard Freestyle
8th Place Womens Open 100 Yard Backstroke
Alexia Goucher 13-14 Girls
8th Place 50 Yard Freestyle
8th Place 100 Yard Backstroke
8th Place 200 Yard Freestyle
Join BYAC Tigersharks Swim Team USA-Swimming members for our next competition at noon on October 1, 2016 at the Georgia Coastal Aquatics Team Season Opening Home Meet, Chatham County Aquatics Center, Savannah GA.
The Tigersharks swim year round. Interested swimmers should contact the YMCA of Beaufort County located at 1801 Richmond Avenue, Port Royal or call 843.522.9622. Scholarship assistance is available for qualified applicants. ymcabeaufortcounty.com
(Port Royal, SC) April 22, 2016: Denice Davis, YMCA Wellness Director and mother of 3, just finished up her fourth Boston Marathon coming in at 3:21:13 – her personal best time ever, not only for this race but for of the 9 marathons she has completed in the past 10 years.
In this year’s race, Denice finished seventh out of all the female runners from South Carolina and at age 44 is the oldest runner finishing in the top 18. This fact is not lost on Denice.
“My main goal for every race is to finish with a better time, even though I am obviously a year older. While I am thrilled to post my best time ever, now I have a NEW goal, to be even faster. It doesn’t matter that I am getting older! “, she says with a laugh.
Denice believes aging is not a reason to NOT start or try something new. Maintaining a regular health and wellness routine can stave off a multitude of health issues that can arise as we get older. Having a health and wellness routine can benefit mental health as it sharpens the mind, brightens your overall mood, and clears away depression.
You don’t have to plan to run a marathon to get on the path to better health, although goals are important. Here are two tips from Denice for starting a successful exercise regime:
If you want to “get started”, consider participating Denice’s regular training plan in one of her many classes at the Y. Denice personally instructs Fit over Fifty, Indoor Cycling, Tabata and Tabata Bootcamp at the YMCA. In all, over 60 groups exercise classes are offered at the Y as part of membership, as well as personal training for an additional fee.
YMCA of Beaufort County AfterSchool Program Kicks Learning Into High Gear with Focused Fun!
Port Royal, August 19, 2015 – To help nurture and inspire kids to discover their potential, the YMCA of Beaufort County is offering an afterschool program to school-aged children throughout Beaufort County. Through a holistic approach to youth development, the Y’s afterschool program offers activities in a caring and safe environment where youth can achieve, feel a sense of belonging, build friendships and explore new interests.
One in four U.S. children is left unsupervised at the end of school day, according to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization. With the start of the new school year, the YMCA of Beaufort County encourages parents/caregivers to make sure that children are involved in safe, educational experiences after school hours.
“When the school day ends, continued learning can have a positive influence on how well youth perform in school, boosting school attendance, academic performance and reducing gaps in academic achievement particularly among children from disadvantaged households,” said Kaylin Garst, Operations Director, YMCA of Beaufort County. “With the support of nurturing adults, youth in afterschool programs cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and education achievement.”
Some of the programs and activities included in the afterschool program include ARF & Tail Waggin’ Tutors, yoga, bible study with volunteers from The Parish Church of St. Helena and Y clubs. Y Clubs include swimming, sports, Togetherhood junior, career club and more. In the new career club various occupations will be explored by the students, with professionals from the community visiting the club to describe their job, their educational achievements and why they love their career.
The Y is a leading nonprofit committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, supporting their social-emotional, cognitive and physical development from birth to career. In the YMCA of Beaufort County’s afterschool program youth receive homework assistance and can also explore literacy and math activities, nutrition education, arts, service learning, 21st Century Skills, physical fitness, and swimming. One of our main goals of the YMCA’s Board of Directors is to not turn anyone down due to lack of funds. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.
The YMCA of Beaufort County has adopted a set of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards in our afterschool programs that will build a healthier future for our nation’s children by providing healthy environments rich in opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity.
For more information about the YMCA of Beaufort County’s afterschool program, please contact Kaylin Garst, Operations Director, 843-522-9622 or visit ymcabeaufortcounty.com.
(Port Royal, July 28, 2015): The 2015 Summer YMCA Championship Meet was held July 18 and 19, 2015 at the Georgetown YMCA (part of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina) in Georgetown, SC. The Beaufort YMCA Tigershark girls team took first place and the Tigershark boys team finished third for a combined team finish of second place overall!
Individual High Point winners for the Tigersharks were:
6 & Under girls: Anson Daniel 2nd place
8 & under girls: Cypress Daniel 1st place
Susan Cushman 3rd place
8 & under boys: Will Bostwick 1st place
9-10 girls: Lily Bostwick and Skylar Bruner tied for 1st place
9-10 boys: Hart Cushman tied for 1st place
11-12 girls: McKenzie Daniels 1st place
11-12 boys: Cohen Bruner and Sammy Marrero tied for 1st place
13-14 girls: Anne Watts Tuckwiller 1st place
15-18 girls: Maya Bostwick 2nd place
Madison Daniel 3rd place
The swim meet included 9 YMCA teams and over 170 kids from Anderson, Cherokee, Georgetown, Greenwood, Hartsville, Newberry, Pickens, Sumter and our own Tigersharks from Beaufort.
2015 YMCA Tigershark Swim Team at the State Championship Meet.
(Port Royal, Jan. 7, 2015): The YMCA of Beaufort County, located at 1801 Richmond Avenue in Port Royal, in partnership with the Spirit of America Foundation, America’s Premier Youth Boating Education Program, is offering their week long boating program for youth/teens age 11-15. This hands-on camp will be led by YMCA Boating Director Paul Spencer with assistance from a team of certified staff and volunteers. Register at the YMCA, located at 1801 Richmond Ave., in Port Royal or online: ymcabeaufortcounty.com.
The camp will take place April 13-17, 2015 at the YMCA in Port Royal for instructional classes, followed by on-the-water training at The Port Royal Sound Maritime Center dock (310 Okatie Highway).
The week long program focuses on STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, math) practices, education, safe boating environment awareness, leadership development and physical fitness. The non-traditional classroom setting of our beautiful local waters provides both encouragement and inspiration, helping to reverse the decline of outdoor recreation among our youth.
The program not only emphasizes safety around the water and in using (5) different types of watercraft but students take the SC DNR Boating License class and exam. An important goal of the program is also to instill a sense of appreciation and respect for our lovely and unique Lowcountry environment. According to the 2010 Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan, of the county’s 468,000 acres, approximately 51% consists of open water, sounds, marshes, and estuaries.
“Beaufort County consists of more water than land, which is incredibly wonderful. Yet, it also presents a safety challenge,” states Director Paul Spencer. “One of our most important goals at the Y is to teach folks how to swim. In our geographic area this is not enough however, we also need to teach the skills needed to get out on the water safely and with confidence. Students should expect a lot of learning plus an abundance of fun – it is spring break after all.”
The Y Boating Program is the only program of its kind in Beaufort County and the YMCA will offer financial aid to those who may not otherwise be able to participate.
If you are interested in more information about this program please contact Paul Spencer: at the YMCA: 843-522-9622. Register online at ymcabeaufortcounty.com or ay the YMCA (Port Royal). This program is for youth age 11-15 and cost is $50 per student for the entire week of classes. Registration deadline is March 15, 2015 and class size is limited so register soon!